In 1937, at the behest of Emma Goldman, Rocker penned this political and philosophical masterpiece as an introduction to the ideals fueling the Spanish social revolution and resistance to capitalism the world over. Within, Rocker offers an introduction to anarchist ideas, a history of the international workers’ movement, and an outline of the syndicalist strategies and tactics embraced at the time (direct action, sabotage and the general strike). Includes a lengthy introduction by Nicholas Walter and a Preface by Noam Chomsky.

[Rocker’s] approach is far from utopian’; this is not an abstract discourse but a call to action.”Noam Chomsky

Rudolf Rocker (18731958) was a leading figure in the international anarchist movement for over 60 years.

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About the Author

Rudolf Rocker is one of Anarchism's most cherished characters. Born in Germany, Rocker settled in Britain in 1895, learned to read and write in Yiddish and became a beloved member of the Jewish Anarchist movement until his death. As a proponent of the workers movement known as Anarcho-syndicalism, Rocker wrote for journals in German, Yiddish and English throughout the world. Noam Chomsky is one of the world's leading intellectuals, father of modern linguistics, outspoken media and foreign policy critic and tireless activist. A former meatcutter and long-distance truck driver, Mike Davis teaches urban theory and was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship. He is the author Buda's Wagon: A Brief History of the Car Bomb and City of Quartz. He lives in San Diego. Nicolas Walter was a journalist, lifelong anarchist and tireless activist against militarism and nuclear weapons. He lived in Britain.

Most helpful customer reviews

"Anarcho-Syndicalism: Theory and Practice" allows for empowerment of modern populace; it is written for the proletariat. I can say blatantly that I would never have heard of this work, if not for reading Chomsky's "On Anarchism"; Rudolf Rocker is in his citations. "Anarcho-Syndicalism: Theory and Practice" literally sticks to its title in terms of the content displayed in elaboration throughout all its chapters. Rocker is undoubtedly a very intelligent man, one whom presents his ideas with a cogent and succinct prose. Rocker's is an ability to summarize a very strong presentation of past and present anarchist thought, displaying in a colorful manner what we are missing in our lives and society. The substance of this work concerns the people of this planet, their need to support each-other in their struggle for freedom and amelioration; a noble topic. Additionally, I now understand Chomsky as a person to a higher degree, I see clearly Rockers inspiration living through him. Perhaps more importantly, my own mind is much more aware of the power contained inside of people, the working classes and their methods of popular struggle.

An immediate gain may be ascertained in this short read (116 pages long), a significant contribution to the labor movement, society, philosophy and human organization in general. This exposition is a valuable insight into what may be possible for human kind, if we are to rise to our bench-marked potential as a species and achieve what should be possible. Rocker discusses many suppressed measurements in our lives and their forbearance on the development of intellectualism, education, culture, liberation and community. He reveals the struggle that we all have faced in our development and suffrage.Read more ›

Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)

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6 reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

Sounds greatFeb. 27 2006

By
calmly
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

Rocker writes lucidly and forcefully. He presents a clear alternative to political socialism, including Marxism. Anarcho-syndicalism seems well-grounded ethically and as if it would avoid the problems of concentrating power inherent in both capitalism and socialism.

But can it work? The biggest argument that it can seems to be CNT in Spain in the 1930's. As Rocker described it, they were highly effective and fully anarcho-syndicalist. They were defeated largely due to the involvement of powerful foreign powers. In the U.S. before World War I, the IWW (similar to the anarcho-syndicalists in Europe) grew in influence but were suppressed by the government.

Today in the U.S. the only sizable organized anarcho-syndicalist activity appears to a mucher smaller IWW. They continue to support unionization efforts and refrain from political activity.

If people can organize around trade unions, as Rocker describes and as the IWW does on a small scale, with sufficient involvement as to be able to run industries themselves, then anarcho-syndicalism as Rocker describes it seems wonderful. There would, however, many practical issues to work out. Rocker says that the CNT in Spain did that. However, if people prefer to be led, then anarcho-syndicalism won't work, as someone will undoubtedly step in to lead and, in doing so, enforce preferences for themselves.

For over 70 years, anarcho-syndicalism seems not to have been won over many people. Will conditions change so that people embrace it? Would educational efforts help revive it? Or has capitalism adapted and won? Is self-government just too much effort for most people? This work by Rocker seems about the best place to start in exploring such questions.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful

Hope for SocialistsMarch 22 2009

By
Ryan
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

While the fall of the Soviet Union was seen by some as proof that socialism is untenable, Rocker shows in this text how the revolution was doomed from the start, and offers an attractive alternative to the party-led style of statist socialism attempted there. Synidcalism seems to me to be a slightly more "realistic" way in which to achieve socialism, that doesn't depend on the benevolence of a centralized authority. Rocker also relates some of the history of the labor movement in general in Europe, and of syndicalism in particular. I would like to have seen a bit more detail regarding syndicalist government structure and economics, the practical aspects, but he gives a very good overview of the movement in not many pages.

16 of 27 people found the following review helpful

Good OverviewJuly 17 2007

By
Steiner
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback
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How can a society progress to a level of legitimate egalitarian communization without the creation of a hierarchical structure of leadership or vanguard? For anarchists, the answer often lies in anarcho-communism or anarcho-syndaclism. This text by Rudolph Rocker, is perhaps the definitive work on the latter theory. Anarcho-syndaclism eliminates the apparatus of the state as a means to socialism, whereas classical Marxist theory insists that the state will wither away once the proletarian has seized control of the means of production. Anarcho-syndaclism values the use of direct action as a means to control the forces of production, and the utility of unions and defederated workers councils as the proper structures for social planning. Rocker points to the syndaclists of the Spanish Revolution as the primary example of the theory in action, though there seem to be few cases in history of such socialization without centralized planning. Perhaps this mode of revolution is more legitimate and effective than classical Marxism or Marxist-Leninism, though I suspect that anarchism will always suffer from the fact of its inefficiency and inability to mobilize populations democratically. Nevertheless, Rocker's analysis and background history (aside from several cavalier uses of `human nature) is provocative alternative to state capitalism and state socialism.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Great overview of the history of socialismDec 30 2012

By
Rory Winter Flaherty
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Format: Paperback
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Great overview of the history of socialism and the debates within socialism that led to the various schools within it. A great guide for anyone interested in learning more about the history of socialism and anarchism.

0 of 4 people found the following review helpful

Amazon is a benefitJan. 30 2014

By
Ron
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase

Amazon delivers. I was pleased to find this book readily available. I will not comment on the subject matter as I am at the start of reading about this political position.